alright so i got the cai installed and the next thing on my list is the front strut tower brace. was going to go with m7 because of the whole anti-mushrooming technology; however, they are sold out. then i ran across dinan and they have their brace on sale for $124 which is about $100 less than the m7. i know dinan is top notch stuff and for the price its hard to beat. is the m7 worth the $100+?

do i hold out for the m7 or go dinan?

 

I bought the Dinan for the price and have no regrets. It is a quality product.

 

Does the Dinan clear an Alta intake with box top by chance?

 

what about this anti-mushrooming technology? is that bull or do i really need it?

i dont track (not yet) or abuse my cars.

 

You dont have to abuse your car for it to mushroom. Just hit a bad hole and it will happen. Omp is another awesome strut bar.

 

Agreed, you need to take some action against mushrooming. I actually just banged my towers flat last sunday. I bought the car from a guy in North Carolina, no mushrooming. Drove it in Norfolk, VA for a couple month and just from teh bumps/potholes, it started, so I put M7 strut bar on asap, now I just use the plates. Going to sell the M7 Bar and buy a set of used plates. With how bad my roads are, I'm probably even going to get the under plates as well.

 

so the dinan does not offer that protection?

 

Best defense against mushrooming is a set of IE fixed camber plates. Replaces the crappy stock top mounts, better ride quality, MUCH better handling, and (for me) more even tire wear. A must have mod for a first gen MINI in my opinion.

- andrew

 

No, as far as I am aware, the only upper strut bars that help prevent mushrooming is M7, VIP, and Forge.

IE fixed camber plates are also a good way to go, them or adjustable camber plates. Or if you don't want to add any camber, craven makes under strut plates as does a fellow on Ebay (I will actually be buying his soon, he also makes them in fixed camber as well).

 

I got the dinan because of the sale, quality product, clears the OEM airbox after you wet the installation under the bonnet and let it "mold" a little (one time overnight was good fro mine)

 

Dinan bar does not protect against mushrooming, I had one crack from this. I also do not believe the M7 prevents mushrooming.

 

M7 Advertises it as anti-mushrooming end plates. But I guess each car is different. I can say after I installed mine, the mushrooming no longer got worse. I have since hammered it flat, so we'll see if it stays after that.

I know of 2 locals that have also hammered theirs flat and installed M7 Plates without the bar and they did not get any further mushrooming, but I guess anythings possible and if there's that much concern, put plates on top of the shock tower and under the shock tower.